OT - Lost one of our QIs

Yesterday was a rather hard day, because we found out that Ami, our

11-year old White German Shepherd, had bone cancer. Not only that, but the cancer had weaked her bone and it had broken. Basically, there was nothing else we could do but have her put to sleep. We stayed with her until the end, so that she would know that she would be with those who loved her.

We have another QI, Banjo, who is a black & tan German Shepherd. Ami's health deteriorated over the past 6-months and had been so quiet lately, that I don't think he missed her much at first. However, last night I found him outside of the bedroom door everytime I got up. He normally sleeps in the living room, so I am sure that he is missing her. He is a very gregarious dog and liked to sleep next to her. We think that we will have to find another dog or puppy to keep him company rather soon.

I was sick during all that went on and I was feeling quite low when we got home -- both from the illness and loss of Ami. In a way I am glad that I was ill yesterday, because it would have been awful for my DH to have to deal with losing Ami by himself (I would normally have been at the office downtown Houston). I am feeling a little better physically this morning, but still crying a little now and then over the loss of our lovely QI. I try to keep in mind that she had a very good life here in the country, with lots of space in which to run around (we have a huge, fenced back yard).

Bev in TX

Reply to
countryone77
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(((HUGS)))) to you and DH.

It is always heartbreaking to lose one of our special furry friends. They are so loyal and loving, and so accepting of us with all our faults. We all wish we were able to keep them with us for longer. But Ami would thank you for all your loving care and this final peaceful gift.

I hope that with time the good memories will be a comfort to you, and you will find a place in your heart and in your life for another special friend. In the meantime be patient with Banjo. He will not understand and you cannot explain, so just give him a little extra love until he adjusts.

Reply to
CATS

Sorry for your loss, Bev. It's always hard. But, you are right to concentrate on the lovely life she had with you - and you with her.

In message , " snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com" writes

Reply to
Patti

Reply to
countryone77

Reply to
countryone77

Hi Bev,

It is always hard to say goodbye to a loving furbaby. But let me assure you that Ami will be waiting for you at:

Rainbow Bridge: Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigour. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly s tops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Reply to
Maloney Empire

I am SOOOO sorry. Paulette in WV

Reply to
Paulette in WV

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Bev and DH}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} I can sympathize so much. I lost my GSD Grizz several months ago to degenerative joint disease. Even though he was feeling better than when the problem first presented, he was in pain every time he moved. He was my great friend for 8 years and I let him go when he was 11 years old. He and Ami are probably playing as we speak, healthy and young again while they wait for us. You gave her a wonderful gift, to go in peace and dignity. Give Banjo a big hug for me. Take care,

Reply to
Debi Matlack

Reply to
countryone77

Reply to
countryone77

Thanks so much for your kind words. I'll make sure to give Banjo a hug from you :-).

We lost another White GSD, Buddy, about 2 1/2 years ago to cancer. Ami was so depressed for months afterwards and that's one of the reasons why we got Banjo. She perked up immediately and was like her old self after that. Of course, getting Banjo also helped us some too :-).

Last night we discussed getting another dog now as a companion for Banjo. One's first response on having a pet die is that one does not want to have to go through that again. However, we would be missing so much love and companionship if we foregoed getting another one, so we will start the search this weekend. We know that another dog can never take her place, but there is plenty of space in our hearts for another loving dog.

Hav> {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Bev and DH}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Reply to
countryone77

Bev, whatever you do, don't start looking for reasons to blame yourself! I'm sure you feed your dogs healthy food and take good care of them and I doubt very seriously that your yard is carcinogenic.

I learned when I lost Chelsea to cancer a few years ago, that many breeds of dogs now days are just more prone/susceptible to having the cancer genes. It is because of years of inbreeding and cross breeding that they have these certain weaknesses. Chelsea was a beautiful, healthy and well cared for HUGE boxer for most of her life. Until the cancer started to take its toll on her. Since then, I have met many, MANY other people who had boxers and have lost boxers to the same type of cancer that Chelsea had. Now my father is fighting it with his Boston Terrier at A&M and he has told me every time they go, about how many Boston Terrier's, Boxers and Shephards are there at the facility getting cancer treatments when he goes.

It is so difficult and hard to accept and I suppose it is our human nature to ask why, and to ask ourselves, "Could I have done something different, could I have done more, could I have fed them better, differently, should I have tried a different vet or a different treatment?"

But in the end, I know, I loved that dog as much as I love my children and I did everything humanly possible for her right up to the point of making the horrid decision to relieve her suffering.

It's the best any of us can do.

My heart and my prayers are with you and Banjo and I know there is another wonderful canine soul out there just hoping it will be him you pick to come and fill some of that gap in your family!

T> Having two dogs die from cancer (albeit different kinds) makes us

Reply to
Tina

Bev, sadly osteosarcoma (bone cancer) is just one of the things that GSD and other large breed dogs are prone to. GSD are actually one of the breeds that has potentially a lot of bad things that can happen to them medically and white GSDs may be even more prone to them. I work at a veterinary teaching hospital and see the trends. It's *nothing* that is your fault, believe me. I don't mean to discourage you from another GSD if that's what you really want. They are wonderful dogs. Whatever kind of dog you end up with to be friends with Banjo, I know he will be loved and spoiled. My Clifford's main purpose was to be a companion for Grizz, though they only had a couple of months together. Now Clifford is a thoroughly spoiled and completely delightful companion to me and my DH. You just never know how things will work out.;-)

Reply to
Debi Matlack

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

I know exactly what you mean... and Tessa is still a 'velcro dog' after 2 weeks.... sigh not really ready for a puppy now but tossing the idea around for Tessa's sake too.

Kellie

Reply to
Kellie J. Berger

Bev, you probably don't know me, but I wanted to offer condolences. I am a pet-lover, and I understand pet grief, and my heart just breaks for you. I wanted to tell you that my friend's border collie had the same diagnosis, and he went to great lengths to extend her life, he even had her leg amputated along with cancer treatment. I think you did the right thing for your beloved Ami. It's really the last gift that you could give her. Hope I have not overstepped by saying this. Your post just touched my heart though.

Sherry

Reply to
sriddles

((((((Bev)))))) and ((((((Family)))))))

Reply to
Cindy Schmidt

HUGS for you and your DH!!

Reply to
Donna in NE La.

{{{Hugs}}} I'm so sorry to hear about Ami, Bev. It's terribly hard to lose a beloved QI, I know.

Reply to
Sandy Foster

Tina,

Thanks for all of this info -- it helped me stop second guessing about what happened.

I was just up > Bev, whatever you do, don't start looking for reasons to blame

...>

Reply to
countryone77

Debi,

I just discussed it with my DH and we have some th> Bev, sadly osteosarcoma (bone cancer) is just one of the things that GSD and

Reply to
countryone77

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